Slow-Smoked Brisket with Texas-Style Dry Rub

By AislePrompt Editorial · Published 2026-06-03 · Updated 2026-06-03

Tender, smoky beef brisket seasoned with a bold Texas-inspired dry rub and slow-smoked to juicy perfection. This American-inspired barbecue recipe, ready in about 495 minutes, pairs beef brisket, paprika, brown sugar for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 450 calories and feeds 8, so it slots cleanly into a weekly meal plan and pairs well with a quick salad or grain on the side. Tap "Plan a meal with the AI" below to drop this recipe into your week and send the ingredients straight to Instacart. Nutrition values are approximate, calculated from USDA FoodData Central (fdc.nal.usda.gov) — verify against ingredient labels for any health-driven dietary plan.

Ingredients

• 4 lbs beef brisket
• 2 tbsp paprika
• 1 tbsp brown sugar
• 2 tsp salt
• 1 tsp black pepper
• 1 tsp garlic powder
• 1 tsp onion powder
• 1/2 tsp cayenne pepper
• 1/2 tsp mustard powder
• 2 cups applewood chips

The instant-read thermometer we’d check this beef with → Best Instant-Read Thermometers for 2026: Fast, Accurate Picks Under $100

Instructions

1. Step 1: Combine 2 tbsp paprika, 1 tbsp brown sugar, 2 tsp salt, 1 tsp black pepper, 1 tsp garlic powder, 1 tsp onion powder, 1/2 tsp cayenne pepper, and 1/2 tsp mustard powder in a bowl to create the dry rub.
2. Step 2: Pat 4 lbs beef brisket dry with paper towels, then rub the entire surface evenly with the dry rub mixture, pressing gently to adhere.
3. Step 3: Preheat your smoker to 225°F and add 2 cups applewood chips for smoke.
4. Step 4: Place the brisket fat side up on the smoker grate and smoke for 6-8 hours, maintaining 225°F, until the internal temperature reaches 195°F and the meat is tender.
5. Step 5: Remove the brisket from the smoker, wrap it tightly in foil, and let it rest for 30 minutes before slicing against the grain to serve.